God gave to him wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart as the sand that is on the sea shore. -- (Ps. 112. 1). Praise the Lord, ye children: praise ye the Name of the Lord. V.: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. -- God gave to him wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart as the sand that is on the sea shore.

O God, who didst raise up Saint John, Thy Confessor, to be the father and the teacher of the youth, and who by him, with the help of the Virgin Mary, didst promote new families in Thy Church: grant, we beseech Thee, that inflamed by the same fire of love, we may win souls and serve Thee alone. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.

EPISTLE ¤ Philippians 4. 4-9.
Lesson from the Epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Philippians.Lectio Epistolae beati Pauli Apostoli ad Philippenses.[The peace of God keeps our souls by our faith and hope in Jesus, by our study and concerns of the virtues of St. John Bosco.]

Brethren, Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say, rejoice. Let your modesty be known to all men. The Lord is nigh. Be nothing solicitous; but in every thing, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasseth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. For the rest, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever modest, whatsoever just, whatsoever holy, whatsoever lovely, whatsoever of good fame, if there be any virtue, if any praise of discipline, think on these things. The things which you have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, these do ye, and the God of peace shall be with you.

Trust in the Lord, and do good, and dwell in the land, and thou shalt be fed with its riches. V.: Delight in the Lord, and He will give thee the requests of thy heart; commit thy way to the Lord, and trust in Him, and He will do it.
Alleluia, alleluia. V.: (Ps. 73. 21). The poor and needy shall praise Thy Name. Alleluia.

From Septuagesima the Alleluia and the Verse Pauper are omitted and the following is said instead:

Thou hast been my hope, O Lord: a tower of strength against the face of the enemy. V.: In Thy tabernacle I shall dwell for ever: I shall by protected under the covert of Thy wings. V.: For Thou, my God, hast heard my prayer: Thou hast given an inheritance to them that fear Thy Name.

At that time, the disciples came to Jesus, saying: Who thinkest thou is the greater in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus calling unto him a little child, set him in the midst of them, and said: Amen I say to you, unless you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greater in the kingdom of heaven. And he that shall receive one such little child in my name, receiveth me.

Accept, O Lord, the pure oblation of the Host of salvation and grant that loving Thee into and above all things, we merit to live for the praise of Thy glory. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.

It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God, through Christ our Lord. Through whom the Angels praise Thy Majesty, the Dominations worship it, the Powers stand in awe. The heavens and the heavenly hosts together with the blessed Seraphim in triumphant chorus unite to celebrate it. Together with them, we entreat Thee, that Thou mayest bid our voices also to be admitted, while we say in lowly praise:

Filled with the mystery of Thy Body and Blood, grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, through the intercession of Saint John, Confessor, that we may ever be thankful. Who livest and reignest in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.